Strikes by teachers and Council workers hit Castle Vale today, closing two primary schools (St Gerards and Topcliffe), and causing Years 7,8 and 9 to be excluded from the secondary school. The Neighbourhood Office in Spitfire House was closed for the second successive day, following industrial action by members of the GMB and Unison.
Hundreds of Members of the National Union of Teachers, GMB and Unison met at a joint rally in Birmingham’s Victoria Square, where they listened to speeches from their representatives and officials promising further action in the future. The Unison and GMB members blame local Council leaders for their grievances. The teachers blame the Government for theirs.
Cabinet Member Councillor Rudge yesterday issued a press statement condemning the Council workers’ action and claiming that it had little support. He accused the unions of being ‘increasingly out of step’ with their members interests. The combined show of strength in today’s joint union action will have helped the Council workers’ cause by swelling the numbers of those demonstrating discontent.
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